What is Septic Shock?

Understanding and Identifying Sepsis

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1.7 million American adults develop sepsis and about 270,000 Americans die as a result of sepsis each year. With such shockingly high statistics, it is imperative to know the signs and symptoms of this type of infection to prevent serious illness and even death.

In light of Sepsis Awareness Month, the health experts at Southwest General are here to share what you need to know about this blood infection.

What is Sepsis?

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that is caused by your body’s extreme response to an infection. When you have a simple infection, like an ear infection or an upper respiratory infection, it can cause a chain reaction within your body if it is left untreated for long enough period of time.

When left unaddressed, the infection can get into your blood causing you to go into sepsis. This type of infection progresses rapidly and can cause tissue damage, organ failure and even death.

Signs & Symptoms

When it comes to treating sepsis, it is important for you to seek emergency medical attention as quickly as possible to reduce your risk of complications. If you notice any of the following symptoms, call 911 or head to the emergency room:

• Fever
• Feeling cold
• Shivering
• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Clammy skin
• Shortness of breath
• Extreme pain
• High heart rate
• Low blood pressure

Primary and Specialty Care in Ohio

The Southwest General Medical Group, Inc. includes both primary care and specialty care physicians who are committed to providing patients with high-quality medical care. Our team of board-certified specialists and skilled physicians work to raise the bar for excellence in health care service for our community. To learn more about our primary and specialty care services or to schedule an appointment, visit our website.